#legislation

libramoon@diaspora.glasswings.com

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ukraine-medical-marijuana-bill-is-unblocked-from-advancing-to-presidents-desk-after-opponents-repeal-attempt-fails/

#Ukraine Medical #Marijuana Bill Is ‘Unblocked’ From Advancing To President’s Desk After Opponents’ Repeal Attempt Fails
January 17, 2024 By Kyle Jaeger

..."Lawmakers approved the medical #cannabis #legislation last month, but the opposition Batkivshchyna party used a procedural tactic to block it by forcing consideration of a resolution to repeal the measure. That resolution failed this week, earning just 25 of the required 226 votes.

On Wednesday the bill was formally sent to the desk of President Volodymyr #Zelensky, who supports the reform.
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Opponents previously tried to derail the marijuana bill by filing hundreds of what critics called “spam” amendments, but that attempt similarly failed, with the measure ultimately passing with 248 votes.

The bill that’s heading to the president would legalize medical cannabis for patients with severe illnesses and post-traumatic stress disorder (#PTSD) resulting from the nation’s ongoing conflict with #Russia, which launched an invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago.
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The bill moves marijuana from strictly prohibited under List I to available for medical use with a prescription under List II of the country’s drug code.
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The law will become effective six months after Zelensky signs the legislation.
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The policy change would put Ukraine is stark contrast to its long-time aggressor Russia, which has taken a particularly strong stance against reforming cannabis policy at the international level through the United Nations. The country has condemned Canada for legalizing marijuana nationwide."...

libramoon@diaspora.glasswings.com

https://www.nationofchange.org/2023/12/01/senators-ownership-of-big-oil-stocks-raises-conflict-of-interest-concerns/

#Senators’ ownership of Big Oil #stocks raises conflict of interest concerns
By Alexis Sterling -December 1, 2023

..."eight of the ten senators are Republicans, collectively owning up to $1,106,000 of these stocks, approximately 92% of the total. This is noteworthy, considering the Republican senators’ historical stance on #climate change #legislation and their influence on committees that directly oversee #environmental #policies.

Among these senators, Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) holds the most substantial investment in Big Oil, with stocks valued between $119,006 and $360,000 in Exxon and Chevron. Moran, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, has a track record of opposing climate regulation and endorsing fossil fuel projects like the Keystone XL pipeline. His committee has jurisdiction over issues directly affecting climate change, such as environmental disasters and oceanic matters.

Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts, a Republican with a diversified Big Oil portfolio, is another significant figure in this context. Owning stocks in Chevron, Exxon, Phillips 66, Valero, and ConocoPhillips, Ricketts, as a newly appointed member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, has substantial sway over environmental laws and the Environmental Protection Agency.
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The senators’ financial ties to the fossil fuel industry come at a time when crucial legislation like the IRA, aimed at mitigating the climate crisis, is being debated and passed. The consistent opposition from Republican senators against such legislation, juxtaposed with their investments in fossil fuel companies, paints a concerning picture of the influence of personal financial interests on critical policy decisions.

This scenario is not limited to the Senate. A 2020 Sludge analysis found that across Congress, members own up to $92.7 million in fossil fuel stocks, highlighting the pervasive nature of these investments in legislative circles."...

basta.media@diaspora-fr.org